A 60-year-old man accused of accessing and possessing child abuse material is expected to face court today (21 May 2021) after being charged by the Victorian Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (VIC JACET).
An investigation started after Australian Federal Police (AFP) allegedly identified an online user in Victoria during a separate investigation into an alleged online offender in the Northern Territory.
The AFP also received reports from the United States' National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the online sharing platform Kik allegedly identifying the same accounts as uploading child abuse material.
Investigators allegedly linked the Melbourne man to the accounts.
VIC JACET, which comprises AFP and Victoria Police officers, executed a search warrant at the man's home on 19 May 2021, with investigators seizing a computer, mobile phone and external hard-drive.
Police will allege they found several images of child abuse material on the digital devices, which will be subject to further forensic examination.
The man was arrested and charged with using a carriage service to possess child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22A(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth) and using a carriage service to access child abuse material, contrary to section 474.22(1)(a)(i) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for this offence is 15 years' imprisonment.
The man is expected to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court today.
Commander Investigations Southern Command Todd Hunter said "accessing, sharing and uploading child abuse material is a crime - it causes real trauma to children, regardless of the quantity accessed or shared."
"If you access one child abuse image you are committing a crime and the AFP has partners across Australia and overseas who work with us to ensure you will be caught and charged," Commander Hunter said.
Members of the public who have any information about people involved in child abuse and exploitation are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.
If you or someone you know are impacted by child sexual abuse and online exploitation there are support services available.
Advice and support for parents and carers about how they can help protect children online can be found at ThinkUKnow, an AFP-led education program designed to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
